A Georgia man is facing up to six years in prison after being convicted of conspiracy in the seizure of a federal wildlife refuge last year in Oregon.
The jury didn't buy defense arguments that Jason Patrick of Bonaire, Ga., and others were staging a political protest, after seeing evidence that included photos of some other occupiers with guns sitting at the desks of federal workers. The occupiers also established armed patrols of the facility. However, Patrick was acquitted of a charge of possessing a firearm in a federal facility, The Oregonian reported.
The guilty verdicts for Patrick and Darryl Thorn on the conspiracy charges were victories for federal prosecutors, who had failed to persuade a jury to convict the leaders of the armed occupiers, Ammon and Ryan Bundy, of conspiracy.
Patrick, 43, was described as the leader of some of the last holdouts at the refuge. He represented himself at the criminal trial.
A sentencing date has not been set. The Oregonian posted a video of Patrick discussing the verdict. Hear what he had to say by clicking here: http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2017/03/oregon_occupation_trial.html
He said he would appeal the verdict.
Patrick also has a criminal charge pending against him in Georgia. Here, he was accused of going into the office of Warner Robins Municipal Court and threatening to "kill everyone."
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